Don’t Let “Wandering Weed” Override Local Control

August 31, 2018

The League, the California Police Chiefs Association and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council on Aug. 31 announced the launch of a new effort to urge the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) to “Stop Wandering Weed.”

The three organizations are asking the BCC to amend proposed regulations that wipe out safety controls, allowing marijuana to be delivered anywhere in California in violation of local community rules.

The coalition of city leaders, public safety officials and workers believes that local control must be sustained in regulating licensees. Local control played an integral role in the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016 and is enshrined by the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act.

The proposed regulations by the Bureau of Cannabis Control would permit delivery of recreational cannabis from jurisdictions that have permitted the sale or use of such products into jurisdictions that have banned or conditioned such sale or use. By allowing delivery to any jurisdiction, the Bureau’s proposed regulations eviscerate many cities’ local decisions on commercial cannabis.

“The Bureau of Cannabis Control’s delivery regulation would drastically preempt local control and regulatory authority by authorizing cannabis delivery anywhere in the state regardless of conflicting local regulations or bans, and decrease transparency of cannabis operations while increasing public safety obligations and costs for local law enforcement agencies,” said Covina Mayor Walt Allen.

“It’s unfortunate the Bureau of Cannabis Control made the decision to undermine the authority of local officials. The proposed regulations give unrestricted access to the cannabis delivery industry and open the floodgates to a number of public safety risks.” said California Police Chiefs Association President David Swing

“As the labor union representing the largest number of workers in the medical cannabis industry, UFCW worked hard to keep communities safe by making sure recreational cannabis is sold with strict safeguards,” said James Araby, executive director, UFCW Western States Council. “Regulated marijuana dispensaries have tough security, checks for identity and legal age, and strictly licensed workers. If marijuana can be delivered anywhere with virtually no regulation, California will lose these safeguards that protect communities and children.”

The Bureau of Cannabis Control is now considering public comment received on the proposed regulations and is expected to revise the rules later this year.